A tribute to one of Goa’s first heroes, Dr Amancio Alvares

07 Sep 201807:53am IST

07 Sep 201807:53am IST

A day ahead of the 50th death anniversary of one of Goa’s greatest sons, Café remembers Dr Amancio Alvares (1902- 1968), a highly respected dentist and a man who gained recognition for his gallant efforts to take on the mining giants over half a century ago to stop the dumping of mining ore rejects into Goa’s paddy fields. One of the first to do so, his heroic efforts paved the way for what continues to be a struggle even today

Across Goa, in
whichever part of the state you live

in, you are bound to have heard the familiar narrative of the
like-minded groups that have taken it upon themselves to challenge and put a
stop to how rampant mining in Goa has detrimentally affected Goa’s environment.

But imagine a
different time, an era when people were yet to fathom the possible effect of
the mining activity in the state and were yet to mobilise a strong opposition
who could at the very least create awareness of the damage being caused to
nature and how it affects the human population as well.

Half a century ago,
there was a dentist, who devoted his life to battle it out with the mining
firms over dumping of ore and by doing so, was one of the first to take up this
fight that still ensues in today’s times.

September 8, 2018,
will mark the 50th death anniversary of Dr Amancio Alvares.

Dr Amancio Alvares
(1902-1968) hails from Udoim, Aldona, and comes from a family of for
generations of doctors. In 1934, he passed his LDSc and graduated from the Nair
Dental College, Mumbai. He was a Dental Surgeon by profession. A very
successful dental surgeon indeed, until he decided to extract a promise of good
and civilised behaviour from Goan mine owners. They were dumping ore rejects
along the slopes leading to his paddy fields in Sirigao. The rains used to wash
them down, clogging the fields that were once the family’s main source of
sustenance and a proudly acknowledged asset. After countless and fruitless
letters and verbal entreaties, he resorted to legal action, endless and costly litigations,
which drained him of all his savings. In the end, died heartbroken because his
vast paddy fields were ruined.

“The strength and
courage of Dr Amancio exhibited in overcoming his obstacles to shape a proud
destiny for himself served as a strong inspirational force to his children and
grandchildren, who have all excelled in the field of medicine, engineering and
architecture. Dr Amancio passed away on September 8, 1968,” says his daughter,
Amelia Soares e Alvares, while speaking to Café.

“In memory of Dr
Amancio Alvares, we will be presenting to the Museum of Dentistry, Bambolim,
the Denture Polishing Machine used by him during his practice days,” adds
Amelia.

It is to be noted
that while he is famous for his efforts in putting up the cudgels against the
mining companies, he was a very reputed and recognised dentist. He made
outstanding contributions to the field of dentistry. He was inducted as a
Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 1966. He was a very modest
person who maintained the highest standards of integrity, both in respect of
dentistry and for his interactions with others. The International College of
Dentists has also inscribed upon its memorial roll the name of Fellow Dr A B
Alvares, Bardez.

Dr Amancio’s children
also made immense contributions in the world of medicine. His eldest son, late
Dr Alvito Alvares, who had settled in Washington DC, graduated with a PhD in
Pharmacology. His research focus was on Drug Metabolism in the Liver: 1)
Factors influencing the metabolism and action of drugs, and environmental
chemicals and carcinogens. 2) Interactions between nutritional factors and drug
metabolism. 3) Biochemical and toxicology effects of the environmental
chemicals and carcinogens; and 4) Heavy metal toxicity. Dr Alvito Alvares’s lab
work provided early evidence of the existence of more than one form of
Cytochrome P-450. His paper describing this discovery became an ISI (Institute
of Scientific Information). Citation Classic. He was listed in the ‘Who is Who
in Science and Engineering’ and ‘Who is Who in American Education’.

Dr Amancio’s second
son, Dr Olav Alvares, followed in the footsteps of his father. He retired as a
distinguished dental educator and researcher. He received 16 awards, the most
prized ones being the Olav Alvares’ Plaque to be awarded in perpetuity
recognition from the American Dental Education Association and the No.2) award
is the Distinguished Service Award from the International Association of Dental
Research.

Dr
Amancio’s youngest son, late Dr Roando Alvares, was a brilliant cardiologist
settled in Lisbon, Portugal. He died of a massive heart attack at the age of
51.